RESERVES: Giuseppe Gentile brace gives Fire 2-1 win over Red Bulls

Gentile double pushes Fire past Red Bulls in Reserve play Monday

March 24, 2014

Chicago Fire Communications

CHICAGO (March 24, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in MLS Reserve League action Monday morning on the Toyota Park Turf Field. Andre Akpan got on the board first for the Red Bulls but a Giuseppe Gentile brace led the Fire to their first Reserve League victory of the season.

The Red Bulls opened scoring in the 21st minute when Marius Obekop whipped in a cross from the top of the 18 and found Andre Akpan on the edge of the six-yard box. With his back towards goal, Akpan took a touch to settle, turned and rifled his right-footed shot into the goal.

Three minutes later Marco Franco played the ball forward for Victor Pineda, who raced towards goal and found Giuseppe Gentile on the back post. On his first touch, Gentile sent this right-footed shot just out of Meara’s reach for the equalizer.

Gentile would again find the game-winning goal in 61st minute. Logan Pause received the ball and played a perfectly-weighted ball to Juan Luis Anangono. The Ecuadorian striker dribbled towards the end line and found Gentile unmarked on the back post, and the rookie forward’s shot gave the Fire the 2-1 victory.

Next up for the Fire Reserves is a friendly against NASL side Indy Eleven at the Boilermaker Soccer Complex on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., on Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the Indy Eleven match cost $11 for general admission or $15 for reserved seating and are on sale at www.IndyEleven.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate on April 1.